iPod Docking Stations

Despite its non-standard connection port, the iPhone is popular enough that numerous accessories have been designed to work with it—including the iPhone docks detailed below.

iPhone Charger Docks

A dock in general is simply a station where can plop your iPhone down and leave it. The most basic kind is the simple charger dock, which lets you recharge the phone without looking around for its plug. Just set it down and return to it once the battery’s fully charged. Many charger docks are also connected to the computer, which allows convenient syncing of apps, music, and other data.

Despite the basic functionality, there are many different kinds of charger docks, ranging from one that accepts the iPhone even if it’s inside a case, to another that can charge and sync and iPad at the same time. 

iPhone Alarm Docks

An alarm dock is basically an alarm clock which accepts and charges the iPhone, while using the music stored on it as a wake up alarm. They’re convenient because they provide an instant charging solution right beside the user’s bed, but usually don’t provide syncing capability with a computer.

iPhone Alarm Docks can also just use its built-in alarm, or get the sound from a preset FM radio station. Higher-end variants come with a remote control, and stream music in from the iPhone via Bluetooth. 

iPhone Speaker Docks

These are among the largest iPhone docks you’ll find, because they have powerful speakers inside that are designed to spread the iPhone music throughout the room. While playing your favorite tunes, speaker docks of course keep the iPhone charged. Most come with a remote control so you don’t have to walk up to the phone to select a track or change the volume. So as not to limit their functionality, some speaker docks come with a cable that plugs into the earphone jacks of other phones and gadgets, playing music from these sources as well. 

iPhone Car Docks

Last but not least are docks that make the iPhone more useful in the car, converting it into a GPS navigator or a source of music for your the car speakers. In most cases these kind of docs secure the phone so that it won’t fly all over the place if you step on the brakes suddenly, and connect the phone to a cigarette lighter charger for (you guess it) battery-filling power.

It’s a testament to the iPhone’s popularity that so many devices are designed to work with it seamlessly—including dedicated docks that let the mobile phone copy its data to a computer, double as an alarm clock, spread its music throughout a room, and help out drivers on the road.